J.B. Cox

Drafted in the 2nd round (63rd overall) by the New York Yankees in 2005 (signed for $550,000)

Cox is similar to Huston Street, whom he succeeded as the closer for both Team USA and Texas. He's not quite as good as Street, a supplemental first-rounder last June who made Oakland's Opening Day roster this year, but he's close and has put up better numbers in his draft year than Street did. Cox had a 0.96 ERA in 47 innings since a disastrous six-run outing against Stanford in mid-February, a game that taught him a valuable lesson. He can dial his fastball up into the low 90s, but it's far more effective at 88-89 mph because it has more sink and runs in on righthanders. As with Street, a late-breaking power slider is his best pitch. There's some violence to Cox' delivery, but he has been durable and throws strikes with ease. His stuff may be a bit short to be a big league closer, though he might have the moxie to pull it off. The team that selects Cox should get at least a solid set-up man who can move through the minors in a hurry.